Chapter 16 Preparing the Alpha for the Veil Rift
The Council doors slammed shut behind them with a heavy echo that followed Lina down the hallway like a shadow.
Kael didn’t release her hand.
Not until they reached one of the side corridors—empty, quiet, far from prying ears. Only then did he stop, turn, and press his palm flat against the wall beside her head.
Lina blinked up at him.
“Kael—”
“I was one breath away from ripping Theron’s throat out.”
His voice was low, raw.
Too honest.
Her heartbeat stumbled. “I know.”
He leaned closer—not touching, but close enough for heat to shimmer between them. “He looked at you like you were a threat to be caged.”
“And you looked at him like you were about to shift in the Council chamber,” she whispered.
“I would have.”
She swallowed. “Kael… that bond he mentioned...”
He went still.
Then cupped her jaw gently, his thumb brushing the corner of her mouth.
“We will talk about it,” he murmured. “But not when you’re trembling.”
“I’m not—”
She stopped.
Her hands were shaking.
Kael’s brows pulled together. “The shadow mist?”
“It drained some energy,” she said. “Nothing serious.”
He glanced down at her hands, then lifted them, holding her wrists lightly. “You should have told me.”
“And what would you have done?” Lina asked. “Carried me into the Council chamber?”
“If I had to.”
The worst part?
He meant it.
A faint laugh escaped her. “You can’t protect me from everything, Kael.”
“I can try.”
“You’ll break yourself doing it.”
He stepped even closer—so close her wolf lifted its head and pressed against her skin, hungry for the contact.
“I won’t break,” he whispered. “Not while you’re beside me.”
Her breath caught.
She almost leaned into him—
—but Riven appeared at the far end of the hall.
“Oh gods, sorry—am I interrupting another ‘I breathe for you’ moment?”
Kael growled. “Riven.”
Riven held up a finger. “Right, yes, life-or-death stuff, very serious, absolutely no romance happening here—”
Lina laughed despite herself.
Riven jogged to them, panting lightly. “Yara’s gathering the relics you asked for. The scouts doubled the towers. No new disturbances yet.”
Kael nodded. “Good.”
Riven turned to Lina. “You ready to train the Alpha to fight eldritch nightmares?”
Lina exhaled slowly. “Ready.”
Kael’s gaze softened. “You don’t have to—”
“Yes,” she cut in. “I do.”
Because if she didn’t train him…
If she didn’t strengthen the sanctum…
If she didn’t anchor the Veil…
Everything would collapse.
She turned to Kael. “We go now.”
THE SANCTUM AGAIN
The walk back to the sealed door felt heavier this time.
Not with fear—
but with purpose.
The sanctum pulsed faintly behind the stone like something alive.
Kael hesitated just a heartbeat. “Lina. Once we open this fully—there’s no taking it back.”
“I know.”
“Things on the other side will feel us.”
“I know, Kael.”
“And once this magic touches you—your wolf might change.”
She looked up at him, steady.
“I survived the forest for three centuries. I survived the curse. I can survive this.”
He nodded.
Riven shifted awkwardly. “I’ll wait out here. I feel like the magic will… I don’t know… eat me.”
Kael smirked. “Probably.”
“Cool. I’ll guard the door.”
INSIDE THE SANCTUM
When the seal cracked open, the silver light pulsed again—but Lina didn’t shy away this time. She stepped closer, letting the hum of ancient energy wash over her.
Kael followed, gaze fixed on her, protective and fierce.
“Tell me what to do,” he said.
“Stand here.”
She guided him to the center of the floor where faint runes spiraled outward like a sunburst.
He obeyed without hesitation.
“Put your hands out,” she said. “Palms open.”
Kael raised them.
“And open your senses. Let your wolf rise.”
His eyes shifted instantly—gold floodlighting his irises.
Her breath hitched.
“Good,” she whispered. “Now hold still.”
Magic rose around her like silver smoke.
Kael’s wolf responded, power rushing toward her like a tide.
She stepped closer—
placed her hand on his chest—
and felt his heartbeat slam against her palm.
Kael inhaled sharply. “Lina…”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. “Anchor yourself to me. Focus.”
“I am.”
Too fast.
Too intense.
She felt the pull of the bond like a deep ache in her ribs.
Heat coiled low in her stomach.
But she held steady, letting her magic rise and swirl around his.
The runes brightened under their feet.
Kael’s wolf surged higher, the chamber air vibrating with power.
Lina stepped closer, their bodies almost touching. “Don’t fight it.”
His voice was rough. “I’m not.”
“Good. Now follow my lead.”
She reached up—
placed both hands on either side of his face—
and pressed her forehead to his.
Kael shuddered.
“Lina…”
She whispered against his lips:
“Let me in.”
Magic burst outward.
Silver from her.
Gold from him.
Their power tangled, braided, threaded—
bonding, anchoring, merging.
The sanctum reacted instantly.
The cracked seal pulsed, brighter and brighter, runes lighting up around them in a swirling circle of moonlight.
Lina felt the Veil.
Felt the pressure of the creatures beyond it.
Felt their hunger.
She pushed back.
Kael’s wolf pushed with her.
The chamber hummed in approval.
Then—
A crack thundered across the floor.
Lina gasped.
Kael grabbed her waist. “Lina—!”
She stumbled—
but the runes beneath her feet glowed stronger, supporting, lifting, embracing her magic.
And then she understood.
“We’re supposed to do this together,” she whispered.
Kael nodded against her forehead. “Together.”
Their magic surged—
Silver.
Gold.
Heat.
Pressure.
Bond.
Heartbeat.
Roaring.
The sanctum flared—
And a voice whispered through the crack:
“Found you.”
Lina went still.
Kael’s grip turned iron-hard.
“Lina?” he murmured.
But she stared at the door, blood draining from her face.
“It knows,” she breathed.
“It knows exactly where I am.”